Benzos Get both Xanax and Klonipin scripts in same month, different pharmacies

[Trebuchette]

There was an excellent thread by same title in 2012; it was closed because I think 2 docs involved? Mine's only 1 doc.

So we (doc + me) had falling out with one pharmacy I'd used for years. I had just turned in my Rxes for Xanax + 2 refills, and a low dose of Vicodin, and a few others that aren't controlled. But doc has friend at compounding pharmacy and said to use him, and wrote me new scripts for everything at new pharmacy.

I also told doc I wanted off Xanax (still true!) and he wrote me one month of Klonipins plus the good Vicodins, no refills (Ks were to try; strong Vicodins were for temporary use during painful superbug thing). The Klonipins are nice, awesome for sleep AND anxiety, but are not working for "panic" at all. It's only been 2.5 wks, but I called doc last week and said the Ks either weren't enough, or needed to be supplemented. I got appointment for this week. I left message, "Klonipin is like putting baby powder on arm." (It's not really THAT bad, but they just didn't kick in fast enough and while bottle of K says "as needed", it took you guys here to help me figure out to schedule Klonipins.) Still, 3mg/day wasn't cutting it. I'm using more like 4-5 day, but I take extra when I'm in pain. A Xanax or Ativan used to help if I had sudden pain; kept me calm, at least. Vicious cycle, but I'm not usually in pain. It happened before when I tore rotator cuff — I went up on my benzos through PT. (But I also went BACK DOWN to 3mg/day when PT was over.)

I was going to ask doc at our appt for temporary 4/day Ks, until they're in system, OR to supplement Ks with a mg of SOMETHING that works for panic. Doc has supplemented me before: 4 Ativan a day, plus 2 Temazepam/day for sleep. But maybe I needed another month of the stronger Vicodins instead; I don't know, I'm not a doc. That's why I had appointment.

They got snowed out, and my appointment got bumped back to Friday. This seriously does not work for me. I will run out of Ks (well, I could cut back on them and they'd last). I'm already out of Vicodins and didn't refill those (I clearly don't know what I'm doing with opiates), but I need at least some panic relief before doc can see me Friday. Again, I left messages last week, yesterday, and this morning with doc: "I have old refills, CAN I refill old Xanax script and just bring the extras in when you can see me next?"

But receptionist said he had been so busy (emergency flu season or something) he didn't even see most of his messages.

Old pharmacy has refilled the Xanax, but I haven't picked them up yet. I don't want to (1) get in trouble, or (2) get "on" the Xanax again. I'm not even bothering refilling Vicodins at all; just going to use naproxen or motrin.

Is it "wrong" to refill same doc, same-class of drugs, at different pharmacies? I haven't done it before, but I really don't know what else to do. I suppose I could just cut back on Ks and hope for the best. Advices?!

 

[Kittycat5]

It is not wrong but it will send up red flags in most doctors and pharmacists minds. But if the pharmacy already filled it, it should not be a huge deal unless you keep repeating the same pattern in the future.

 

[Trebuchette]

Pharmacy filled it, but I haven't picked it up. I know they will eventually put it back if I just don't pick it up. I don't want red flags, but I fear just switching pharmacies alone might have done that.

IDK, I really feel like it would be self-medicating because who will remember there was snowstorm on this date? I've worked hard to stay under the radar (as much as a long-term benzo user can stay under the radar, that is) so future docs would work with me if need were to arise.

But thanks for the reply. I think I'll leave Xanax there, and not pick it up unless I run out entirely, or doc has to reschedule Friday appt again to the following week. At some point, when 30 days have passed, I think I'm legit to get whatever Rx I can get my hands on (since doc didn't refill my Klonipins). I could argue that and feel like I'm on solid moral ground. I'm not sure I could argue re-dosing myself with left over Klonipins AND new full Rx of Xanax.

 

[Tommyboy]

If it's been filled then it has already been put into the system.

 

[Eva 33]

I agree---once the script has been filled, it is in the system. Even if you don't pick up the script and they return it to stock, there will still be a record that they filled it. It will be in the "online drug database" that states use.

It's not wrong to use different pharmacies, but you really do need to tell your doctor that you are doing so. I use different pharmacies and only have ONE doctor. The reason I've had to use different pharmacies is simply because ONE pharmacy is no longer able to get ALL my meds. "Jumping around" to different pharmacies (as a pharmacist once told me) does raise red flags. I was okay when the pharmacist called my doc and told him I was using different pharmacies, because I had already told my doctor exactly WHY I use different pharmacies.

 

[Trebuchette]

Well bugger, then. Yes, they're filled and sitting in bin. One of the large commercial pharmacies that text you reminders to come get your stuff. Doc didn't like that pharmacy, but they couldn't make up this slushie thing I needed last month. Doc suggested we go ahead and switch over entirely because he has better working relationship with pharmacist at new place.

Well, if it's already in the system, I might as well pick them up and not have to worry I'll run out before next snowstorm (when my next appointment is scheduled, of course: Friday). So next I see doc, I'll just take in both bottles (Klonipins and Xanaxes), and let him do what he wants with them.

Hopefully doc will still want to work this Klonipin thing out. I like the Klonipins, way better than the Xanax. They just didn't seem to be enough. Of course, doc could have put "every 8 hrs" instead of "as needed"; that might have helped. I'm afraid I took them like you take Xanax, and they didn't seem to help for a few weeks. NOW, they seem to help. But I'm halving them to stay on any sort of schedule.

I feel so blamed stupid!

Thanks again. Sorry I'm such a bother.

 

[Trebuchette]

Outcome: doctor didn't care, and apparently neither did pharmacists. In fact, doc said to keep Xanax in case I wanted emergency benzo, and increased me to 4mg/day Klonipins. Got someone in the office to transfer my old prescriptions to new pharmacy.

All that worry for nothing, apparently. He said when I have script somewhere, and he writes out new one, they're both good, and I worry too much.

**bangs head on wall**

Just wanted to update thread that it all went well. I guess. I still don't understand, though, to be honest. I have two "valid" prescriptions for Vicodin apparently: the monthly "6 pills" (or 8, some small amount) for cramps, and then a larger one for a stronger 7/7-something Vicodins that he's giving me month-to-month (no refills, but I get them). Do you really fill them both? Doc showed me printer paper (embossed or something) and said something like, "This overrides everything."

Uh, ...not to question him or any doc, but does it? (Does a special printer paper with his name override "everything"?) I just don't want to get in trouble, or get flagged, or anything weird. —And I'm on Ks and out of pain, so I'm not having anxiety or anything. Just ...baffled.

 

[Harrisment]

"Jumping around" to different pharmacies (as a pharmacist once told me) does raise red flags. I was okay when the pharmacist called my doc and told him I was using different pharmacies, because I had already told my doctor exactly WHY I use different pharmacies.

I'm curious why using different pharmacies would raise a red flag? I could understand doing it if you are in a state that doesn't track what you're prescribed, but otherwise no matter which pharmacy you go to they can look up your history.

 

[brutus]

Outcome: doctor didn't care, and apparently neither did pharmacists. In fact, doc said to keep Xanax in case I wanted emergency benzo, and increased me to 4mg/day Klonipins. Got someone in the office to transfer my old prescriptions to new pharmacy.

All that worry for nothing, apparently. He said when I have script somewhere, and he writes out new one, they're both good, and I worry too much.

**bangs head on wall**

Just wanted to update thread that it all went well. I guess. I still don't understand, though, to be honest. I have two "valid" prescriptions for Vicodin apparently: the monthly "6 pills" (or 8, some small amount) for cramps, and then a larger one for a stronger 7/7-something Vicodins that he's giving me month-to-month (no refills, but I get them). Do you really fill them both? Doc showed me printer paper (embossed or something) and said something like, "This overrides everything."

Uh, ...not to question him or any doc, but does it? (Does a special printer paper with his name override "everything"?) I just don't want to get in trouble, or get flagged, or anything weird. —And I'm on Ks and out of pain, so I'm not having anxiety or anything. Just ...baffled.

I'm going to close this since there's no HR question, plus it's self serving and you have your answer.